R&D Capabilities

Excellence in Research & Development

CSL's mission is to discover, develop and deliver our innovative therapies that improve the patients' quality of life. Our scientists and researchers are recognized for their contributions to developing breakthrough medicines that have the potential to help millions of patients worldwide.

We are grateful to the patients, volunteers and researchers that participate in the clinical trials for testing our potential biotherapies. All contributions have helped better our understanding of diseases.

CSL's R&D capabilities are focused in four major areas:

Plasma Fractionation

CSL’s clinical research activities make products available to patients worldwide and identify novel therapeutic uses for plasma proteins.

As a leading manufacturer and developer of therapeutics derived from human plasma, CSL is committed to maintaining the highest product safety standards and to continually improving manufacturing effectiveness. CSL's research programs are focused on developing novel plasma proteins with improved efficacy and enhanced convenience.

Recombinant Technology

We have extensive experience in the production, clinical development and launch of recombinant coagulation factors.

We are also focused on the development, production and testing of novel monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to treat inflammatory diseases (CSL324), hereditary angioedema (CSL312) and target fatty acid metabolism (CSL346).

In collaboration with Momenta Pharmaceuticals, we are also developing recombinant Fc multimer proteins to control inflammation associated with autoimmune diseases.

Gene and Cell Therapy

Through the acquisition of Calimmune Inc., CSL is now focused on the development of ex vivo haematopoietic stem cell (HSC) gene therapy which has the potential to offer a significant advantage to patients suffering from currently incurable genetic diseases.

The acquisition of Calimmune introduced CAL-H/CSL200 to our pipeline, an HSC gene therapy for the treatment of sickle cell disease, which complements our current product portfolio and deep expertise in haematology.

The technology also has the potential to be used in treatments for a wide range of other rare diseases that would complement our business, including those within the company’s current product portfolio.

Vaccines

Seqirus has leading R&D capabilities and a broad portfolio of differentiated products with commercial operations in over 20 countries. Seqirus is a transcontinental partner in pandemic preparedness and a major contributor to the prevention and control of influenza globally.

Across our influenza portfolio, Seqirus has a number of clinical studies underway to expand age indications and further optimise adjuvant and cell-based technologies. Early stage collaborations are exploring other transformational approaches including universal influenza vaccine projects, synthetic seeds, yield optimisation and other vector/expression technologies.

These capabilities manifest themselves in the following therapeutic areas:

Immunology & Neurology

Our world-leading immunoglobulin (Ig) franchise is the cornerstone of the I&N therapeutic area. Our efforts in this area focus on bringing trusted products and technologies to serve patients with a range of serious immunologic and neurologic diseases, including Primary and Secondary Immunodeficiencies (PID and SID) and Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP). We are optimising patient experience and convenience through more flexible ways to dose and administer our existing intravenous and subcutaneous plasma derived products.

CSL Behring remains focused on easing the burden of care and improving the lives of patients with rare bleeding disorders. Additionally, we are undertaking exciting research and development efforts to explore new indications in haematology as well as novel therapeutics in haemostasis and thrombosis. We have made major advancements in haemophilia A and B in recent years with the launches of our internally developed family of novel recombinant coagulation factor medicines. Our haemophilia research strategy is based on maximising the value and performance of our existing coagulation therapies and developing new protein-based therapies to treat bleeding disorders and increase the quality of life for patients.

Cardiovascular and Metabolic diseases is one of our newest therapeutic areas and is testimony to our commitment to remain at the forefront of innovation. Within this therapeutic area, our focus is on improving and extending the lives of patients with atherosclerosis and diabetes.

Despite the remarkable advances in solid organ transplantation reflected by improved patient and graft survival rates, the treatment and management of solid organ transplant recipients remains a complex area of modern medicine. Organ transplant recipients are required to take life-long immunosuppressive medication to prevent their own immune systems from rejecting the donor organ (allograft). While current standard of care is very effective in the prevention and treatment of acute rejection, chronic rejection remains a high unmet medical need and is responsible for most cases of allograft failure. Our plasma derived C1 Esterase Inhibitor (C1-INH) product is currently being investigated in a clinical trial to treat one form of rejection (antibody mediated rejection) in kidney transplant recipients.

Developing new and better influenza vaccines across all age groups in expanded markets is a strategic priority for Seqirus, including further advancing our cell-based technology and our MF59® adjuvant – or ‘immune booster’ – to enhance the immune response of those particularly vulnerable to influenza such as children and older adults.

Chronic respiratory diseases impose an enormous burden on patients and society and are a leading causes of death and disability worldwide. To address this need, CSL is investigating new clinical treatments for respiratory diseases using our plasma derived immunoglobulins and proteins and novel recombinant monoclonal antibodies.